Space Florida Announces ISS Research Competition Winners

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL., NOVEMBER 29, 2012 (Space Florida PR) – Space Florida, the state’s aerospace development organization and spaceport authority, and NanoRacks, LLC, today announced the winners of the International Space Station (ISS) Research Competition at The American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

A team of 15 independent judges evaluated the proposals based on defined value in the commercial marketplace, potential for future benefits in space travel, and professional qualifications of the applicants. Four (4) winning proposals originated from the commercial field and four (4) in the area of education and research.

The winners will each receive research payload transportation to the ISS via an upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Launch is currently slated for December 2013.

This year’s winners will have an opportunity to work closely with NanoRacks technical personnel as they formulate payload development timetables. NanoRacks will interface with CASIS (the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space) and NASA to conduct safety reviews as required for both launch vehicle payloads and the ISS. The winners will be provided with payload box units known as “NanoLabs,” in which their research will be conducted on board the ISS U.S. National Lab.

“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to be a part of this unique competition, one of many future, similar programs to promote ISS-based research,“ said Frank DiBello, President of Space Florida.

“Space Florida has opened a new chapter in utilization of the International Space Station for industrial and commercial research and we are excited to assist in the implementation of these world-class projects,” said Jeffrey Manber, Managing Director of NanoRacks LLC.